water main break
Underground pipe rupture
A water main break is the rupture or failure of a large underground pipe that carries municipal water supply.
These breaks flood streets, disrupt service to buildings, and often require emergency road closures for repair: A water main break shut down three blocks of downtown.
The phrase functions as a compound noun in news reports and city announcements.
- burstBreak apart suddenly
- floodOverwhelming water overflow
- geyserErupting thermal vent
- streetPublic urban roadway
- repairRestore to working order
emergency · fire department · gushing · pipe · rupture · sinkhole · pressure · spray · crew · public works · excavation · shutdown · valve · hydrant · pavement · infrastructure · utility · torrent
- infrastructure failuresbridge collapse, potholes, dam breach, power outage, power outages
- plumbing problemsleak, leaks, clog, clogs, burst pipe
- road closuresroadblock, detour, barricade, lane closure, tunnel closure
- school closuressnow day, school closure, blizzard, winter storm, ice storm
- utility problemspower outage, blackout, brownout, gas leak, billing error
- water infrastructureaqueducts, dams, pumping stations, pumps, reservoirs